Art Spotlight: Downtown Ogden bars, clubs where you can hear live music

Wednesday , August 16, 2017 - 11:45 AM

MICHAEL PALUMBO, From the Community contributor

The Ogden City Arts Advisory Committee is a group of local artists and residents that focuses on all things art happening in the city. The group’s members work as liaisons between artists and Ogden City to ensure art remains a vital part of the city. Michael Palumbo is a member of the committee.

This is the second installment of “Where is the Music?” In February I wrote about the overall music scene in Ogden. Then in April I devoted my column to Ogden’s own orchestra, Chamber Orchestra Ogden.

There are some great clubs up and down the two-block stretch from Grant Avenue to Wall Avenue, and most of them feature live music on the weekends. They generally charge a cover to help offset the cost of the band.

Here are a few of the many clubs:

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BREWSKI’S

This location caters to a later night crowd, with their music starting usually at 10 p.m. They get a wide variety of acts, locally and nationally.

Location: 244 25th St., Ogden

Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Saturday

THE LIGHTHOUSE LOUNGE

The Lighthouse Lounge frequently features the Joe McQueen Quartet and other locals like Brooke Macintosh, The Proper Way, Tim Daniels and Friends, and The Johnny Utahs. Their combination of chairs, couches and tables makes for comfortable and eclectic seating options.

Kokomo club has long been a staple of 25th Street. This is a good place to hear the Kap Brothers band. This is a band that is a true Ogden musical treasure.

Location: 216 25th St., Ogden

Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Saturday

ALLEGED

Crossing the street from the Kokomo Club, you will run into Alleged. The downstairs at Alleged is home to NextEnsemble, which is not exactly your typical band, but fits in nicely. This place has a rooftop bar that is very popular whenever the weather permits. At Alleged you will find a variety of musical artists, including Doctor Barber, The Outer Vibe, the Mojave Nomads and others.

Moving to the east on Washington Boulevard, there is Funk ‘n Dive. This bar is the successor to the Wine Cellar. It’s a place where you will hear groups like the Wayne Hoskins Band, the Dueling Pianos, Phoenix Rising and many others.

Although not strictly downtown, the Iron Horse at 36th Street and Washington Boulevard — a long-time Ogden staple — features live music on the weekends. You will often hear Red Shot Pony, Korene Greenwood and Company, and the Scotty Haze Band, as well as other great groups. I have jammed with Korene and Scotty, and can tell you that they are a blast to work with.